Pests And Bugs Control For Outdoor Marijuana Plants

In this article we will discuss:

Pests can do incredible damage to your outdoor marijuana plants when left unattended. The amount of different insects that could infest your planting area is as diverse as the ways for dealing with it. Every grower figures out what works best for them according to their location, ethics, and budget.

So which insects will affect your outdoor cannabis plants the most, and what is the best way to deal with them? Continue reading this article for more information.

Outdoor pest control

Contrary to what you might assume, it’s much easier to deal with pests outdoors than if you are growing your marijuana plants indoors. This is for one simple reason: indoors, your plants are the sole source of food for pests, making it easy to have an infestation grow and spread quickly.

outdoors, on the other hand, already has a natural ecosystem to maintain balance. Insects reside in the soil, on leaves, and everywhere else, but they won’t get out of control because the ecosystem keeps everything well-balanced.

Because cannabis is a fast-growing plant, any damage caused by insects or other pests will quickly be repaired from the plant’s own natural response. Cannabis’ vegetative phase is the period when it can heal itself. Your plants are the most easily damaged when they are very young. Therefore, it is most important to take preventative action during this time, as the negative consequences of a pest invasion is that much more important.

You have a lot to pay attention to during the first two months of your plants’ growth. Be sure to pay equal attention to ensuring that pests don’t get your plants, alongside all the other issues you are dealing with to ensure a healthy, strong beginning to your plants’ growing season.

So which insects might cause you the most trouble? You should focus the most on slugs, snails, caterpillars, leaf-eating insects, and beetles. The methods for repelling these insects span from natural to artificial or chemical pesticides or repellants. Since the flowers are being produced for your own consumption, you have to pay extra care to knowing exactly what chemicals you are putting on your plants or in your soil. A product like marijuana plant protector is developed especially for marijuana plants.

Using predators for pest control

Creatures that are predators are more than just lions and tigers and bears. Ladybugs, praying mantises, and lacewings are all examples of predators you can use to your advantage when dealing with outdoor plant pests. Because they are so widely used in the gardening world, you can purchase them commercially. They are often bred specifically for this purpose, so they should not be too difficult to find (you can buy live ladybugs or lacewings at this link)

When discussing it with a breeder, you should be able to get some information such as how to use the insects as efficiently and effectively as possible, as well as which pests they can be expected to eat. If you know what type of insects are usually the most problematic in your growing site location, then this information is particularly helpful. If you have a small cannabis garden, however, don’t count on this being an effective method of controlling pests, as the predators won’t have enough food to maintain them.

Insects aren’t the only type of predator you can use for this purpose. If your grow site is located close to a river or stream, you might find success from using frogs, turtles, and lizards to ward off other insects. You can do this simply by leaving food for them near your grow site every once in a while. Birds can be used in a similar way, encouraging them to visit with birdseed and bird feeders.

While you are dealing with a pest problem, don’t lose track of the fact that you need to maintain secrecy and subtlety at all times. If your grow site is teeming with insects and other animals, it might attract attention. As long as you respect the surrounding environment for how it is naturally, your cannabis plants will remain safe and won’t have problems growing.

During the first two months, as you are watering and paying attention to the myriad other problems that might be hindering growth, make sure that pests are kept under control. The insects that you’ll want to pay the most attention to are slugs, snails, caterpillars, leaf-eating insects, and beetles. There are a few different means by which you can control these pests, using natural and artificial pesticides and repellents. Obviously, since you are going to be smoking the flowers of these plants later, you want to pay special attention to the chemicals with which you treat them.

Organic insecticides

Today you can easily find both nonorganic and organic insecticides because of the success of the organic movement. How do organic insecticides work if they don’t contain chemicals? They function through copying the effects of a plant’s natural pesticides. They are more effective than the plant simply because they are far more concentrated.

Because of its superior strength, pyrethrum is extremely popular amongst growers who use organic insecticides. It can work against a large variety of different pests. Some store-bought insecticides need to be diluted with water while others do not; be sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.

Even though organic insecticides don’t contain chemicals, they still can kill beneficial insects and mammals along with the harmful ones. They could even kill those predators that you have been using to keep the pests away! Therefore, you have to remember to use any kind of pesticide, organic or no, as little as possible.

Unless your outdoor cannabis plants are being completely destroyed by pests, you shouldn’t use much at all. You should also be decreasing your use of pesticides as time goes on; the more mature your plant is, the more effective its own natural defenses are, so you shouldn’t need to use any pesticides at all once they are fully mature.

Homemade remedies

You can go one more step back from organic insecticides and use remedies that you make yourself at home to protect your young cannabis plants from harmful pests. Try diluting two tablespoons of soap in a gallon of water and misting your plants with it. It should be evenly applied to your entire plant. Make sure that you let it sit for a couple minutes and then spray the entire plant with normal water to wash off the soap since it could damage the plant if left there for too long.

This isn’t the only home remedy that can be commonly used by growers. You can find many more recipes online, especially on homeopathic gardening sites. Garlic mixtures, for instance, have beetle repelling properties, while adding alcohol to the above soapy water solution keeps snails and slugs away.

Be careful with these recipes, however; alcohol can strip your plant of its beneficial resin production. Make sure you follow the home remedy instructions exactly, paying special attention to the quantity you put on the plant, how long it should remain on the plant, what exactly the purpose of it is, and how much you should dilute it. More tips and tricks to control pests in the article Marijuana pest control

Companion planting

Most plants that are able to grow in the wild have evolved to have a toxin-producing ability that repels many pests. You can use other types of plants with this same ability to control pests. It is an effective way to accomplish the same thing while avoiding the use of insecticides completely.

Mints, cabbages, and odorous plants such as onions are all examples of types of plants that repel many different kinds of aphids and beetles. Onions have the additional quality of repelling rabbits and deer. As for leaf-eating insects and insects that bore (such as worms or beetles), try geraniums and marigolds.

This type of gardening is called “companion planting.” It is not only useful for repelling pests, but also for camouflaging your cannabis growing area. The companion plants need to be planted close to your cannabis, but not so close that they cause competition for water and nutrients. They can also be mixed right in with your cannabis for full effectiveness.

These companion plants add an extra element of gardening, as you will have to learn how to grow them and maintain their health effectively. Be sure you have a complete understanding of how to grow these other plants, and make sure you choose ones that would naturally grow in the area anyway.

If you do that, your companion plants will have a better chance of survival and camouflage, and they will do a better job of repelling pesky insects. You should be able to find this information online, at a nursery, or from the same source where you buy your marijuana seeds from.

The founder of I Love Growing Marijuana, Robert Bergman is a marijuana growing expert that enjoys sharing his knowledge with the world. He combines years of experience, ranging from small-scale grows to massive operations, with a passion for growing. His articles include tutorials on growing... [read more]

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By Tilga

,19 Sep 2012

I do not even understand how I finished up here, however I believed this post was once great. I don’t recognise who you might be but definitely you are going to a famous blogger in the event you aren’t already. […]Read More

I do not even understand how I finished up here, however I believed this post was once great. I don't recognise who you might be but definitely you are going to a famous blogger in the event you aren't already. Cheers! Less Content

By Stop Whiteflies On Marijuana Plants Now!

,13 Nov 2015

[…] Companion planting is an excellent, natural way to stop whitefly attacks. Planting zinnia inside your plants along with the aforementioned marigolds will push them out of your yard and onto someone else’s. […]

[…] Companion planting is an excellent, natural way to stop whitefly attacks. Planting zinnia inside your plants along with the aforementioned marigolds will push them out of your yard and onto someone else’s. […] Less Content

By latewood.ILGM

,16 Feb 2016

Raymond. It is best to plant when you have prepared for the entire grow. I have to assume outdoors as you gave me no info. Outdoors we plant after there is no chance of “frost”. It is best to develop […]Read More

Raymond. It is best to plant when you have prepared for the entire grow. I have to assume outdoors as you gave me no info. Outdoors we plant after there is no chance of "frost".
It is best to develop a small propagation area indoors and allow your seedlings to gain some footing before placing then out in the cold, cruel world :) Less Content

By NUGSRGOOD

I have an auto that has gone crazy and this am I Noticed a green caterpillar. this girl is in serious flower and ready to come down soon. to late for organic spray?? triches are cloudy so???

I have an auto that has gone crazy and this am I Noticed a green caterpillar. this girl is in serious flower and ready to come down soon. to late for organic spray?? triches are cloudy so??? Less Content

By Jessica Thompson

Thank u so very much for this info as I was up in arms trying figure out what to use , so many things to choose from. Glad to hear I just need some ladybugs etc. And marigold to add […]Read More

Thank u so very much for this info as I was up in arms trying figure out what to use , so many things to choose from. Glad to hear I just need some ladybugs etc. And marigold to add to my garden , Awesome!!!. Less Content

By Jeffro

,24 Sep 2016

I just got my order of ladybugs today 1500 for 12 dollars. I am told they will eat all the mites they can find and hopefully eat the eggs or live long enough to eat the remaining adults. thanks for […]Read More

I just got my order of ladybugs today 1500 for 12 dollars. I am told they will eat all the mites they can find and hopefully eat the eggs or live long enough to eat the remaining adults. thanks for posting the link. Less Content

By latewood.ILGM

,18 Oct 2016

Once the top of seedlings is eaten by a pest. The plant is done. We cannot guess and answer what is eating your plants. You need to locate the pest or pet and inform us of what you find. Sorry […]Read More

Once the top of seedlings is eaten by a pest. The plant is done.
We cannot guess and answer what is eating your plants. You need to locate the pest or pet and inform us of what you find. Sorry for your issues. :) Less Content

By zunique1

hi im first time grower and am doing them outdoors have noticed that they have bugs like white fluffy aphids im guessing wats the best thing to do as i’ve noticed that i hae buds starting out

hi im first time grower and am doing them outdoors have noticed that they have bugs like white fluffy aphids im guessing wats the best thing to do as i've noticed that i hae buds starting out Less Content

By latewood.ILGM

,17 Jul 2017

Zach, Never had an issue with Butterfly’s. One thought is that have already transformed, before they were attracted. Mint should not really be used unless you need to deter “Deer”. Or; Just want some for spice.

Zach,
Never had an issue with Butterfly's. One thought is that have already transformed, before they were attracted. Mint should not really be used unless you need to deter "Deer". Or; Just want some for spice. Less Content

By latewood.ILGM

,17 Jul 2017

MIke, Best way to get help in this type of instance is to join our forum, and read up on all the issues and remedies shared by our members. POsting pictures of the plant is the best way to get […]Read More

MIke,
Best way to get help in this type of instance is to join our forum, and read up on all the issues and remedies shared by our members. POsting pictures of the plant is the best way to get an informed answer.
Happy growing Less Content